To defend the constitutional rights of ordinary Americans, we often travel a long and winding road to victory. In many cases, IJ litigates for years and overcomes multiple procedural hurdles before we can ultimately triumph over government abuse. And sometimes we must take a case all the way to a state’s high court or a federal appellate court just to live to fight another day.

This summer, IJ secured four wins at state supreme courts that, while not final victories, are necessary and important steps on the road to vindicating our clients’ rights for good:

• The Tennessee Supreme Court overruled lower court decisions against a state educational choice program. Following that ruling, a trial court rejected motions to block the program as litigation continues—meaning that thousands of low- and middle-income students can attend the school of their choice this fall.

• Also in Tennessee, the high court told a lower court to reconsider a ruling against record producer Lij Shaw and hairstylist Pat Raynor, who—with IJ’s representation—are fighting to overturn prohibitions on their Nashville home-based businesses.

• The Arizona Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Greg Mills, an engineer with 30 years’ experience and his own firm, can sue a state licensing board that fined him for truthfully calling himself an engineer—all because he lacked a certain government-mandated license. This ruling will help others challenge zealous boards that seek to limit free speech.

• And just yesterday, the South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling that IJ client Visibly can challenge a state law banning their innovative online vision tests at the behest of brick-and-mortar optometrists.

IJ is able to defend our clients for free—no matter how long their cases take—because of the support of our generous donors. We will continue taking on these and other challenges until we achieve final victory. Will you stand with us?

Scott

Scott G. Bullock
President and General Counsel
Institute for Justice

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